Semiconductor academy produces 100 local designers

KUCHING: Sarawak has successfully produced 100 local semiconductor designers through the establishment of its semiconductor academy.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak has taken a significant leap forward in the global semiconductor industry.

“Today, we have produced 100 semiconductor designers from Sarawak. They are now working with Melexis (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd at Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone and they also produce compound chips and analog chips for X-Fab.

“So, for Sarawakians with a background in engineering, you can go further into electronics engineering, particularly in semiconductors, and these chips are very important for turbines,” he said.

He said this during the 15^th edition of Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak (LBAS) 2024 Townhall session at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibiton Centre (MITEC) here today.

He said that the potential applications of these technologies extend beyond semiconductors.

“This is because the critical aspect is who is using this technology, the value chain in aerospace. Those using it are, first, aircraft manufacturers. Second, those making drones, which use this technology. Third, satellites. Fourth, rockets.

“We use rockets to send satellites. With satellites, we can gather data on the ground, which becomes a source for us to develop our economy,” he said.

On a related note, Abang Johari said Sarawak is positioning itself in aerospace technology with the development of cutting-edge materials for aircraft manufacturing.

“We can fabricate materials for aircraft manufacturing. Nowadays, they use 7D, no longer 3D. 3D is obsolete, and the new one is 7D. These materials can be made thin but strong.

“I have asked Swinburne University of Technology, and I, along with Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho, Swinburne Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor and chief executive officer, went to Melbourne to look at materials made there. I requested that Swinburne Melbourne bring that lab to Kuching so that Kuching can also develop these composites.

“We can produce this composite and create materials for aircraft fabrication. Even if we don’t produce the aircraft, others will, but we will have the knowledge, and in the future, we can make our own aircraft,” said Abang Johari.

In addition to material fabrication, Abang Johari emphasised the importance of developing expertise in aerodynamics among Sarawakian youth.

“We need to learn about aerodynamics, its design. We need Sarawakian youth who are skilled in aerodynamics. And next, Sarawakians also must understand how turbine engines operate,” he said.